Menu

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Fleece Fun

Free Sewing Patterns and DIYs

  • Sewing School
  • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Fleece Sewing Projects
      • Free Fleece Hat Pattern
      • DIY Cozy Blankets
    • Apron Patterns
    • Bag and Purse Patterns
    • Baby Patterns
    • Child Patterns
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Handmade Gift Ideas
  • Free Cricut Maker Projects
  • Holiday Projects
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
      • Diy Christmas Ornaments
    • New Years Eve
    • Valentines Day
    • Saint Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
  • Free Costume Patterns
    • Capes
    • Princess
    • Star Wars
    • Trolls
Home » Disney » What we’re not teaching our princesses (and really need to)
This content contains affiliate links or sponsored elements, read our Disclosure Policy.

By Angel Hickman Peterson 5 Comments

What we’re not teaching our princesses (and really need to)

Pin
Share
Tweet
What we're not telling our princesses. I love some of the points she makes.

This idea has been kicking around in my head for some time now. Occasionally it would surface to front of my mind and I would push it to the back. But the idea kept surfacing, insisting that it be fully formed, thought out and written down. what-we're-not-reaching-out-princessesI guess that’s the curse of being the daughter of writers, thoughts and words will haunt you until you purge them to the page.
The idea first presented itself on a family trip to Disneyland. We had a few hiccups, but for the most part it was a good trip. We enjoyed the rides, being together and making memories. The cast members would call my little girls “princess”. I confess I liked this, after all that’s how I feel about my girls, they are my princesses. But then after referring to my girls as princesses I was referred to as simply “mom”. That struck me a little funny. Ahem, shouldn’t I be “Queen Mommy”?

I forced the idea to the back of my mind until it surfaced again. On occasion I would bribe my girls with an app (apps for naps – yes it works) and they would play a princess app. Something fun ( and frivolous) like dressing up or going to a party. But this made me start to think about the strong “princess culture” that exists today. Is it just fancy dresses, perfect hair and parties? I don’t mind my girls playing dress up and going to pretend balls and tea parties. I love how they use their imagination, build their self-confidence, and role play social scenarios. Those are good things. But slowly I began to realize that a key element in this culture is missing.many angels princess

Often we see a woman on reality TV gushing about her latest sweetheart “he treats me like princess!”. Or a blushing bride says “I want to feel like a princess”. There is the disconnect: Full grown women still wanting to be a princess. Princesses stuck, obsessed with youth culture, frivolousness and subject to a higher authority (so not having as much responsibility). Princesses not becoming Queens. Princesses falling short of their potential.

Our princesses need to claim their throne. They need to learn the difference (and strength) that comes from being a queen. They need to get beyond the princess “it’s all about me” phase and move onto the “how can I help others” phase.

The differences between a princess and queen are massive in my mind. Instead of constantly worrying about their physical appearance a queen is more concerned with the appearance of her character. She less concerned with building her entourage and values fostering long and meaningful friendships. Instead of being held to the whims of other kings and queens she rules her life and consequences of her actions. She has a partner that will cherish her, but not spoil her. A Queen seeks knowledge and not an invite the latest party.

Our little princesses have so much potential. Let’s not let them get stuck in the princess frame of mind. Let’s encourage them to grow, progress and move forward. Princesses have their place. It serves a s stepping stone – but that’s all it is a stepping stone, not a destination. It is my hope that as my girls grow they will seek to obtain the crown that is their right. Queens command respect.

As “Queen Mommy” it’s my job, my mantle I bear to show my little royals the way, not a cartoon and certainly not a theme park. But I wouldn’t mind Disney if you would help me out. If you refer to my girls as “Princess”, kindly refer to me as “Queen Mommy”. It’s a title I’ve worked long and hard to earn, and one (I hope) that will be my girls’ someday.

Other Disney Projects/ Articles that you might enjoy:

  • Can Renting DVC Points Save Money? Honest Review
  • 15 Tips to Help a Child with Anxiety on a Disney Vacation
  • Is Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table Worth It? Get the Pros and Cons.
  • Saving for Disney DIY Disney Savings Jar
  • 7 Questions About Disney Cast Members (answered by a Former Cast Member)
  • Why I went media Silent on my Disney Trip 
  • Maleficent Inspired Minnie Ears Tutorial
  • Disney Costume Tutorials

pro 0226

Pin
Share
Tweet

More from fleece Fun!

Handmade Gifts in a Flash: Your guide to making & giving joy!

Get lovely ideas for fast homemade gifts sent right to your inbox!

Sweet! I just sent you can email!

WE WONT SEND YOU SPAM. UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.

279 shares
  • Facebook206
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Disney, Disney Travel Tips, Fleece Fun, Happy Thought, Happy Thought Thursday, Walt Disney World Tagged With: children, family, family life, Happy Thought, Happy thought Thursday

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura says

    February 27, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    Absolutely true! Well said.

    Reply
  2. Marilyn Curtis says

    February 28, 2014 at 6:06 am

    Very well said, Angel!

    Reply
  3. AnnaPK says

    February 28, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    We have always made it a point in our house to point out that Mommy is the Queen and Daddy is the King. When they (1 girl and 2 boys) grow up and have their own houses they will be the Kings and Queen of their houses.
    We have, for the most part avoided the Disney princesses and their waiting for princes to come and save them business. We stress that boys and girls can learn to do anything. My husband and I make a point of the kids seeing us do things that aren’t “gender norm”, ie his doing laundry, dishes and cooking, my driving the tractor, or using power tools.

    Reply
  4. Linda L. says

    February 28, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Angel, you are so right – it’s almost like a kind of arrested development for some young women who can’t step out of the princess mode. I agree with AnnaPK about staying as far away from the Disney-princess types as possible. There’s a great resource that I just found out about from a friend that lists over 100 princess books that don’t follow the Disney mold with girls that are in charge of their own lives and not waiting for their prince to come. It’s at: http://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/independent-princess. I wish I’d had it when my girls were small.

    Reply
  5. Valerie petocz says

    May 22, 2014 at 11:41 am

    I have shared this with all the new young moms I know, thank you.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




You Might Also Love

I love this story about how she learned what compassion is from her grandmother. Wonderful share.
The Moment I Learned Compassion.
Categories: family, family, family life, kids, lifestyle
How can I talk to my child about online dangers without scaring them or making them curious?
Categories: contributor post, family, family, family life, kids, lifestyle, mental health
Pretzels in my shoes, and other reasons why I work out in the morning
Categories: Fleece Fun, Happy Thought, Happy Thought Thursday, weight loss, weightloss

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular Items

Free sewing patterns perfect for beginners. There are a wide variety of patterns sizes baby to adult. Many pdf patterns come with a video tutorial.

Handmade Gifts in a Flash: Your guide to making and giving joy!

Get easy homemade gift ideas delivered to your inbox!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

WE WONT SEND YOU SPAM. UNSUBSCRIBE AT ANY TIME.

  • Pattern Assembly
  • Free Costume Patterns
  • 106 Handmade Gift Ideas and DIYs for the Holidays (2022)
  • About
  • Terms of Use

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright 2022 Angel Hickman Peterson - All Rights Reserved. Fleece Fun is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.